Wild Ones Mid-Missouri Chapter

Our chapter is based in Columbia and the surrounding area.

Contact info:  [email protected]

Meetings are often held the second Saturday of the month. Location varies.  We host tours and work parties in native gardens and natural areas such as prairies, as tools for learning about and caring for our world.  We hold work parties as well at our sites, where you can often take home seedlings for your volunteer labor.

We care for native plantings at several sites in the area as native plant demonstration areas.   Work days at these sites are great learning opportunities for volunteers.

Our sites include:

Capen Park Compost Demonstration Area native garden and rain garden

Forum Nature Area native beds at the end of the parking lot

Epple Field native planting area

We are also Partnering with Columbia Parks and Rec. and Missouri Master Naturalists to help maintain a 2 acre prairie planting area and a small glade planting in the north end of Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary.  We had helped plant and care for small patches within this prairie planting, and the rocky “glade” area with the help of Fairview Elementary School students.  At present students are not involved but we are controlling invasive species and adding seeds for more diversity throughout the area.

And we are Partnering with Missouri Master Naturalist and the Hawthorn Chapter of the Native Plant Sociey to help care for a large native planting at the Columbia Early Learning Center North (CELN) in their Nature Explore outdoor play area.  When possible, we involve the preschool students in helping care for this area with weeding, mulching, etc.  (regular work parties have been Wednesday mornings in 2022).

And we partner with several elementary schools in their pollinator gardens, woodlands, and prairie plantings, caring for these areas and involving students when possible.

If you want to get involved in caring for any of these areas, you may contact Lea at [email protected] or 573-864-7647